Man Utd Injury Woes: Mainoo, Shaw Miss Atletico Trip; Baleba Set for First Start
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Manchester United's mounting injury problems deepened on Monday as the club prepared for Tuesday's Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid, scheduled for 3am Hong Kong time. Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw, both starters in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Tottenham, did not join the squad's trip to Madrid . The absentees compound existing selection headaches for head coach Ruben Amorim, who is already without Patrick Dorgu, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, and Benjamin Sesko . New signing Carlos Baleba, a versatile midfielder capable of playing multiple positions, is poised to make his first career start for the club after a promising substitute appearance against Tottenham where he showcased tackling, defensive coverage, and ball-carrying abilities . Additionally, Matthijs de Ligt traveled with the squad and could feature after recovering from a back injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly a year .
Key Points
- Mainoo and Shaw both absent from Man Utd squad traveling to Madrid after experiencing problems during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham
- Coach Ruben Amorim confirmed the duo did not travel with the team, stating they had "issues" after Saturday's match that are being assessed
- New signing Carlos Baleba likely to earn first start, having made his debut off the bench against Tottenham with strong all-round performance
- Amorim praised Baleba's debut showing, calling it "a very good first step" and expressing satisfaction with his contribution to midfield balance
- Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, 27, has trained extensively and traveled with the squad, presenting Amorim with another selection option
Why It Matters
This fixture represents a critical test for a Manchester United side that has failed to win in their last four matches across all competitions, intensifying pressure on Amorim to arrest the slide . The potential inclusion of Baleba and De Ligt offers the manager rare positive selection news amid the injury crisis, with the new signings potentially providing the tactical variety and physical presence needed to compete against a disciplined Atletico side .
This fixture represents a critical test for a Manchester United side that has failed to win in their last four matches across all competitions, intensifying pressure on Amorim to arrest the slide . The potential inclusion of Baleba and De Ligt offers the manager rare positive selection news amid the injury crisis, with the new signings potentially providing the tactical variety and physical presence needed to compete against a disciplined Atletico side .